Many people avoid having root canal therapy because they think that the procedure will be painful. However, due to modern technology and anesthetics, a root canal is comparable to having a filling placed. When the tissues inside your tooth, also known as the pulp, become infected, a root canal is needed. Bacteria can enter inside the tooth through cavities or a crack in the tooth enamel (the surface of your tooth). This can form a painful abscess or infection that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Thankfully, Baltimore, Maryland dentist Dr. Byron Desbordes offers root canal therapy to clean out infection at the source. If you ever need a root canal, call Dr. Desbordes at (410) 216-4023 or request an appointment with him online. Learn more about the signs of dental infection as well as how root canals are performed below.
When Do I Need a Root Canal?
There are usually signs that a root canal might be necessary, including tooth sensitivity, inflamed gums, persistent tooth pain, chipped or cracked teeth, holes in the teeth, and tooth discoloration. Let us know if you suffer from these symptoms. We will help you decide if you need a root canal or a tooth extraction. To avoid losing a tooth, it is imperative that you let Dr. Desbordes know about your symptoms as soon as possible.
The Root Canal Procedure
To begin treatment, Dr. Desbordes will numb the area to be treated. He will drill into the infected tooth and remove the infected pulp. He seals the empty tooth with a biocompatible material and then takes impressions of the tooth so that he can create a dental crown or prosthetic tooth to cover your damaged tooth. The crown will close up the tooth, preventing the infection from returning inside. With a root canal procedure, we seal out decay to prevent further infection.